Cleaning device



Oct- 3, 1933- o. D; MONTGOMERY CLEANING DEVICE Filed March 23. 1932 ORNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1933 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

1,929,387 CLEANING DEVICE Application March 23, 1932. Serial No. 600,683

6 Claims.

, This invention relates to cleaning devices, and refers more particularly to a device for removing scale, film or crust from surfaces to be cleaned.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for cleaning surfaces which are more or less concealed and which are not easily accessible for the removal of scale and the like.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 10 vide a device which is particularly suited for removing the incrustations formed upon the interior, of boilers by the precipitation from the water employed therein of materials which form a hard crust upon the inside surface of the boiler.

In cleaning the shells of fire tube boilers it is usually necessary for the boiler to'stand idle for a considerable time for cooling so that workmen can chip 011 or otherwise remove the accumulated scale. This necessitates working in a small, damp and hot space and, furthermore, thecleaning operation is a slow one since hand tools are generally employed. In using the invention described hereinafter a power driven cleaning device may be readily manipulated by a workman outside the boiler while the boiler is still quite hot, and a large area may thus be cleaned in a comparatively short time.

In a preferred embodiment thereof the invention contemplates a power driven rotary cleaner of known construction, in combination with guard means for directing the blows from the cleaner against the surface to be cleaned.

The invention will be better understood from the following description and the accompanying drawing forming apart thereof.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation partly in section showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the guard means indicated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the guard means.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5- -5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the device as shown includes a rotary cleaner of the type commonly used in cleaning boiler tubes. The cleaner is preferably pneumatically operated, having an air line 10 and a cylinder or motor 12. A rotor positioned within the cylinder. .12 drivingly engages a knocker element 14 which is joined there- 'to by means of a shaft 16 having a universal joint 18. In tube cleaning the arrangement is such-that the knocker element 14 isrotated by the motor 12 and due to centrifugal force is brought into engagement with the inside surface of the tube. According'to the present invention a guard is provided to limit the moveso ment of the knocker element 14 and to direct the blows therefrom against a surface to be cleaned. The air line 10 may consist of a pipe or hose of suitable length to serve-as a handle for the device during the cleaning operation. 55

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the guard means comprises a pipe nipple 20 adapted to be secured around the motor 12 and a curved member'22 integral with the nipple or rigidly attached thereto as by welding at 24, the curved member being adapted to partly surround the knocker element 14 when the device is assembled.

The curved member 22 may. be formed from a selected piece of pipe by cutting a segment therefrom, thenspreading the pipe open'as shown in Fig. 4. The curved member may then be secured to one end of the pipe nipple 20 to thereby form a guard for the cleaner 14. The pipe nipple 20 is provided with a pair of slits 26 extending over a greater portion of its length.

In assembling thedevice the cleaner is inserted into the nipple 20 so that the motor 12 is encircled by the nipple. A suitable pipe clamp 28 having a tightening bolt 30 fits over the slitted portion of the nipple 20 and may be tightened to thereby fasten the nipple securely. to the motor 12. v

In using the device the workman holds the o pipe or hose 10 with the open side of the curved 9 member 22 near the surface to be cleaned. The blows from the rotating member 14 will thus be directed toward the surface to be cleanedand the scale or incrustation will be removed. The curved guard member 22 aids in reducing vibration and also serves to prevent breaking of the cleaning member 14 or the universal joint 18 due to the centrifugal force of the cleaning member.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention, as'hereinbefore set forth, may

be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a cleaning device having a rotatable knocker element and a universal joint-upon which saidelement is mounted, guard means adapted to, limit' the movement of said 110 mocks: element and to direct the blows therefrom against a surfacetobecleaned.

*joint upon which said 2. In combination with a cleaning device having a knocker element rotatably mounted upon a universal joint and pneumatic driving means for said knocker element, guard means secured to saiddevice and adapted to partly surround the knocker element so as to limit the movement thereof and direct the blows therefrom against a surface to be cleaned.

3. Arcleaning device comprising a motorga rotatable shaft driven by said motor, almocker element rotated by said shaft, a universal joint connecting said shaft and said knocker element so that the knocker element is movable radialLv of the shaft during rotation, anda guard member adapted to partly surround the knock'er element so as to limit the radial movement thereof and to direct the blows therefrom against a surface 'tobe cleaned.

4.- In combination with a cleaning device having a rotatable knocker element and a universal t is mmmted, means for-limiflng the movement of said knocker element in one direction and directing the blows therefromagainstanobjecttobecleaneiaaid means comprising a guard member adapted to be secured to' said cleaning device and mounted so as to partly surround said knocker element;

5. In combination with a cleaning device having a rotatable knocker element, a motor for driving said element and a universal joint between said motor and said element, means for limiting the movement of said element in one direction and directing the blows tlierefrom against a surface to becleaned, said means comprising a member adapted to be secured to said motor and a guard secured to said member'and mounted in the normal path of movement of said knockeielement.

s. A cleaning device comprising a motor, a rotatable shaft driven by said motor, a knocker element rotated by said shaft, a universal joint connecting said shaft and said knocker element so that the knocker element is movable radially of the shaft during rotation, a guard member adapted to partly surround the knocker element 7 so as to limit the radial movementithereof and to direct the blows therefrom against asurface to be cleaned, and clamping means rigidly secur ing said guard member to said motor.

" 01108 D. MON'IGOMIKEY.- 

